Centrifugal machine



Oct. 21, 1941. JONES 2,259,643

CENTRIF'JGAL MACHINE Filed Dec. 11, 1939 Leo D. Jones By an M A TTORNE YPatented Oct. 21, 1941 CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Leo D. Jones, Philadelphia,Pa., assignor to The Sharples Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., acorporation of Delaware Application December 11, 1939, Serial No.308,584

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to an improved driving connection for acentrifugal separator.

It pertains particularly to a driving connection by which a worm securedto the rotor shaft drives that shaft by power derived from a worm wheel,which is in turn connected to a source of power. The problem ofefiicient securement of the worm to the rotor shaft in a connection ofthis character involves fulfillment of a number of requirements. In thefirst place, the means for securing the worm to the shaft must notrequire changes in the dimensions of the shaft which are of suchcharacter as to weaken the shaft ma.- terially. In the second place, amethod of securement should be adopted which aflords symmetricalarrangement of parts about the rotor axis, since substantial symmetry ofthe parts secured to the shaft is necessary to minimize vibration at thehigh speed of rotation. In the third place, it is desirable that theparts of the driving connection be sumciently sturdy to avoid break age,and that these parts be rigidly secured to the rotor shaft.

It has been an object of the present invention to provide a drivingconnection capable of fulfilling all of the above requirements.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention havebeen attained will be evident from a reading of the followingspecification in the light of the attached drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the base of the frame which supports acentrifugal rotor, with parts cut away to illustrate the interiorfeature in section and elevation.

Figure 2 is a detailed cross section, illustrating the connection of theworm illustrated in Figure 1 to the shaft of the machine.

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the members by which theworm is secured in posi-' tion on the shaft, and the base of the shaftitself.

Referring to the drawing by reference numerals, the rotor (not shown) issecured to the upper end of the shaft II), which is mounted for rotationin the bearing II, secured in the frame I 2. A worm I3 is secured to theshaft III for rotation therewith, and this worm is connected in drivingrelationship to a worm wheel I4, which is mounted on a shaft I5, theshaft I5 being connected to any suitable source of power (not shown). Inthe operation of the machine, the worm wheel I4 causes rotation of theworm I3, and this in turn results in rotation of the centrifugal rotorsecured to the upper end of the shaft III, to effect treatment of fluidspassed through the rotor. The features of the present invention pertainsto the means for securing the worm wheel I3 on the shaft III forrotation therewith. The shaft III is provided, in the zone designed forsecurement of the worm I3, with two grooves I6, symmetrically arrangedon opposite sides of the shaft. The worm I3 is provided with grooves orslots II which register with the grooves l6 when the worm is properlypositioned on the shaft Ill. The end of the worm which is opposite tothe end thereof which registers with the grooves I6 is provided with asimilar pair of slots I1, and this end of the worm abuts against ashoulder I8 of the shaft.

In the assembly of the worm on the shaft, the upper end of the worm ispushed up against the shoulder I8, and the .worm is rotated about theshaft until the grooves I6 and slots I! register with each other. Awasher I9 is employed for locking the shaft to the worm for rotationtherewith. To accomplish this purpose, the washer is provided with apair of tongues 20 on its upper side. When the washer I9 is pushed upinto position beneath the assembly of the worm I3 on the shaft III, withthe grooves I8 and slots ll registering as described above, the tongues20 of the washer may bebrought into registry with the grooves I6 andslots I! as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. The tongues 20 thusengage both the grooves I6 and slots I1, and cause rotation of theseparts as a unit so long as the washer is held in position.

The washer I9 is retained in position by means of a nut 2|, which may besecured to the shaft III below the zone of engagement of the washer I9by means of a suitable lock washer 22.

In the operation of the machine, power is transmitted from worm wheel Itto worm I3, and the engagement of the slots at the base of the worm I3with the tongues 20 causes rotation of the washer I9 with the worm. Theengagement of the inner portions of the tongues 20 with the grooves I6in turn causes rotation of the shaft III with the washer, so that theworm I3 and shaft I0 rotate as a unit. Since the washer I 9 abuts thelower end of worm I3 and pushes the upper end thereof against theshoulder I 3, the worm will be held firmly in its proper position,regardless of whether power is being applied to the shaft I5, or whethersuch power has been cut off.

When the worm becomes worn it may be reversed by simply removing the nut2| and washer I9, thereby permitting the worm I3 to be slipped from theshaft III and reinserted on that shaft with the slots which had beenpreviously engaged with the tongues 20 uppermost. Upon reassembly oi.the parts, the tongues 20 will engage the grooves I6 and the slots 11 onthe end of the worm which had previously been uppermost.

Modifications or the invention will be obvious to those skilled in theart, and I do not therefore wish to be limited except by the scope oithe subjoined claim.

I claim;

A power transmitting connection between a 10 rotary shaft having ashoulder and a bearing portion at one end thereof and a member locatedon

